Aussie Team Pursuit Second Fastest in Qualifying

Australia will face defending champions New Zealand in Thursday’s first round of the men’s team pursuit after posting the second fastest time in Wednesday qualifying.

 

The third last team of 14 to take to the track, five-time world champion Michael Hepburn (QLD) and 2014 world champion Miles Scotson (SA) teamed with debutants Alex Porter (SA) and WAIS athlete Sam Welsford, as they went to the top of the scoreboard with a scorching time of 3mins 55.867secs.

 

In the very next heat, the Great Britain outfit featuring six-time world champion and former Tour de France race winner Sir Bradley Wiggins, edged the Australians into second fastest by just two tenths of a second (3:55.664). 

 

“I think we had a good ride, certainly for a qualifying ride it was quick,” said Hepburn, in his first ride for Australia at the World Championships since 2013.

 

“It was all about execution today. I think pacing-wise we executed it as we planned.

 

“Whether you qualify one, two or three is not a big difference. We had our plan and we just wanted to stick to our schedule and get four guys through the race, which is basically what we did.”

 

Round one will be held on Thursday afternoon with Australia pitted against third fastest qualifiers and defending champions New Zealand (3:57.050).  Great Britain will battle Italy.

 

The finals will be held on Thursday evening.

-CyclingAus